This futuristic Audi is tricked-out with OLED panels

Shane McGlaun, 6th March 2012

For innumerable decades, drivers have attempted to set their vehicles apart from the rest by customizing their ride with everything from wheels to paint.

But Audi isn't making do with just a simple paint job. No, the auto manufacturer is showcasing its Visions project - which places OLED panels on the outside of a futuristic concept car.

"This homogeneous visual effect would not be possible with today’s LEDs. These are individual points of light that need additional optical devices – reflectors, optical conductors or scatter optics. OLED surfaces are themselves the source of light, and the thin plates also look attractive," explains Audi exec Stephan Berlitz.

"They weigh little, light up extremely fast, develop only a small amount of heat, last for several tens of thousand hours and don’t consume any more energy than conventional light-emitting diodes. OLEDs suit Audi perfectly because they combine high-end technology, maximum precision and super design!"

Seriously. The car really does look like something Tron would have driven as a teenager. However, the Visions project does more than attach OLEDs for decoration, as the little panels are also used in the headlights and taillights.

Currently, OLED panels are mostly found in smartphones and televisions, but will likely find their way into future cars (perhaps as brake lights) and additional home appliances. Yet, even Audi's Berlitz acknowledges the industry is still years away from deploying OLED panels as headlights.